Why Should I Take PrEP?

PrEP is for people without HIV who are at high risk for acquiring it from sex or injection drug use. The federal guidelines recommend that PrEP be considered for people who are HIV-negative and in an ongoing sexual relationship with someone living with HIV. For those at very high risk for HIV, PrEP can significantly reduce your risk of HIV infection if taken daily. Daily PrEP use can lower the risk of acquiring HIV from sex by 99 percent and from injection drug use by more than 70 percent. You can combine additional strategies with PrEP to reduce your risk even further. This also applies to anyone who is not in a mutually monogamous* relationship with a partner who recently tested HIV-negative, and who is . . .

1. A gay or bisexual man who has had anal sex without using a condom or been diagnosed with an STD within the past six months, OR …
2. A heterosexual man or woman who does not regularly use condoms during sex with partners of unknown HIV status who are at substantial risk of HIV infection (for example, people who inject drugs or women who have bisexual male partners).

Questions to Ask Yourself …

• Are you HIV-negative?
• Are you in a relationship with someone living with HIV?
• Do you have sex with men and have you had unprotected sex or been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the last six months?
• Have you injected drugs in the past six months?
• Are you sexually active with multiple partners, but do not use condoms regularly?

Additionally, if your partner is living with HIV and is considering getting pregnant, consult your doctor about PrEP if you’re not already taking it. PrEP may be an option to help protect you and your unborn baby from acquiring HIV while you try to get pregnant, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding.

Though PrEP performs well as a preventative measure for the majority of those taking the pill, it may not be right for everyone. Also, PrEP may cause side effects like nausea in some people, but these generally subside over time, and these side effects are not life threatening.

* Mutually monogamous means that you and your partner only have sex with each other and do not have sex outside the relationship.

PrEP Myths

Due to HIV’s impact as a life-changing chronic illness, publicizing the facts — and exposing myths and misconceptions — about PrEP is vital. Here are five of the most common misconceptions about this important medical treatment and what it can and cannot do.

Myth No. 1: PrEP is only for people frequently having sex with multiple partners

Due to PrEP being useful only to those who are sexually active, those who use PrEP are occasionally associated with promiscuity. In fact, whether you have only one sexual partner or several partners, daily use of PrEP reflects caution, self-discipline and a sense of responsibility. It demonstrates care and respect for your sexual partners and yourself.